Unspoken Ties

Chapter-22 We Met Again

Edited version 🖤🦋

"Uhmm!" Y/n cleared her throat slightly to catch Jungkook's attention. His fingers immediately halted their movements on the keyboard, and his head lifted, eyes locking onto her.

"Yes?" His voice was casual, but his sharp gaze flickered with curiosity.

Y/n shifted in place, her fingers unconsciously playing with the hem of her sweater. "Can I use your phone? I need to call Eomma." Her eyes refused to meet his, instead choosing to roam around the room, avoiding him entirely.

Jungkook's brows furrowed slightly. "Why? Where's yours? And weren't you just talking to her a few minutes ago? Not that I'm complaining." His voice softened slightly, but his eyes never left her face, observing every little movement. Why was she so nervous? Was it really that hard to ask him for something so simple?

"Mine got discharged while talking to her. She must be worried, so..." she explained hesitantly.

Jungkook simply nodded in acknowledgment before reaching for his phone, which was lying beside him on the bed. Just as he was about to hand it to her, the screen lit up, and the device started ringing.

"She's already calling," Jungkook muttered with a roll of his eyes before glancing at the caller ID. "This never happens with me. Sometimes, I wonder if she's really my mom. She seriously loves you more than me." He huffed, his lips unconsciously forming a small pout of complaint.

The moment he did, Y/n's eyes widened in shock. Her mind stuttered at the sight-was this really Jeon Jungkook? The man who always carried an air of indifference, whose face was constantly masked with coldness? Yet here he was, adorably pouting like a sulking child.

A small giggle unexpectedly escaped her lips before she could stop it.

"You're so cute."

The words slipped out before she could stop them.

The pout on Jungkook's lips instantly vanished, replaced by a stunned expression. He blinked, his gaze now fixated on her-more precisely, on her smile. It was the first time he had seen her smile so freely, and it was breathtaking.

Unknowingly, his own lips twitched upward.

What the hell is wrong with my heart?

Realizing what she had just blurted out, Y/n's face burned with embarrassment. She quickly pressed her lips into a thin line, mentally cursing herself. What the hell did I just say?!

Jungkook continued to stare, but before either of them could say anything, the phone rang again.

Great timing, Mom.

Jungkook groaned internally before wordlessly handing the phone to Y/n.

"She's seriously worried." He rolled his eyes playfully.

Y/n had to bite her lip to keep from laughing. Taking the phone, she quickly excused herself, walking toward the small balcony of their room.

Jungkook, on the other hand, exhaled deeply and ran a hand through his hair.

There is definitely something wrong with me.

---

Jungkook hated distractions.

He had too much on his plate already-projects to finalize, emails to respond to, deadlines creeping up on him like shadows that refused to leave. But most of all, he hated how his mind refused to stay in place. It kept slipping, wandering off to places he wasn't ready to explore, thoughts he wasn't prepared to confront.